Vehicle barrier system

ABSTRACT

The invention discloses a vehicle barrier system ( 10 ) including a barrier ( 46 ) movable between an open position to allow vehicle access therethrough and a closed position which prevents vehicle access therethrough. Barrier ( 46 ) is attached to barrier supports ( 48, 50 ) at either end of barrier ( 46 ) with barrier supports ( 48, 50 ) being secured to a ground engaging slide plate ( 52 ). The ground engaging slide plate ( 52 ) will slide after a predetermined force is applied thereto by vehicle ( 102 ) impact with barrier ( 46 ) to absorb the impact energy of vehicle ( 102 ).

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to a vehicle barrier system and relatesparticularly, though not exclusively, to a vehicle barrier system toprevent intrusion through a barrier by an unauthorised vehicle.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Threats from car bombs have become prevalent amongst terroriststhroughout the world. Terrorists will ram a gate of an embassy or otherselected building with a vehicle. Once entry is gained they detonatetheir bomb as close to the building as possible to maximise the deathand injuries caused by their actions. Gates and doors are necessary togain access to the building or perimeter fence and provide a weak linkfor such terrorist attacks. Most gates rely on the weight of the gateand its mounting to a foundation to decelerate such vehicles. Thesegates do not attempt to absorb the shock and the vehicle may stillpenetrate a significant distance. The resulting damage is usuallysignificant and will require costly and timely replacement.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

It is an object of the present invention to provide a vehicle barriersystem that will absorb the impact energy from the moving vehicle andreduce the penetration distance when the vehicle has been stopped.

A further object of the invention is to provide a vehicle barrier systemthat can be readily repaired or replaced once vehicle impact hasoccurred.

In one aspect of the present invention there is provided a vehiclebarrier system including a barrier movable between an open position toallow vehicle access therethrough and a closed position which preventsvehicle access therethrough, said barrier being attached to barriersupports at either end of said barrier, said barrier supports beingsecured to a slide plate which will slide after a predetermined force isapplied thereto by vehicle impact with said barrier to absorb the impactenergy of said vehicle.

Preferably said slide plate is sufficiently long to have a part of saidvehicle sitting thereon at impact. Preferably said movement of saidslide plate is controllable. Preferably said movement is controllable byone or more of a group selected from a ballast attached directly orindirectly to said slide plate, at least one further slide plateattached to said slide plate, the extension of attachment means attachedto said at least one further slide plate and/or said ballast, theextension of attachment means attached to said slide plate and a surfaceover which said slide plate moves, and the shearing of at least onerivet securing said slide plate to a surface on which said slide plateslides.

In a practical embodiment a plurality of rivets protrudes through saidat least one slot in said slide plate. Preferably a pair of slots areprovided and said slide plate rests on a sliding surface formed by apair of ground engaging beams aligned with respective slots. Preferablya pair of upright beams are secured to the ground in front of respectivebarrier supports, said upright beams being secured to said pair ofground engaging beams at one end and pivotally and/or slidably linked tosaid barrier supports at the other end.

In a further aspect of the invention there is provided a vehicle barriersystem including a barrier movable between an open position to allowvehicle access therethrough and a closed position which prevents vehicleaccess therethrough, said barrier being attached to barrier supports ateither end of said barrier, said barrier supports being secured to theground on a ground engaging plate(s), a pair of bridging slide plates onone side of each of said barrier supports attached at one end to arespective said barrier support and at the other end to said groundengaging plate(s), said slide plates joined by at least one rivet, saidslide plates movable with respect to one another when said at least onerivet is sheared after a predetermined force is applied from vehicularimpact with said barrier to absorb the impact energy of said vehicle.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In order that the invention may be more readily understood and put intopractical effect, reference will now be made to the accompanyingdrawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a first embodiment of a vehicle barriersystem made in accordance with the invention showing the barrier in theclosed position;

FIG. 2 is the same view as FIG. 1 in the open position;

FIG. 3 is an underneath view of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a plan view of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view along and in the direction of arrows5-5 shown in FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 a is similar view to that of FIG. 5 which includes a part planview made in accordance with a second embodiment of the inventionshowing a vehicle moving towards the barrier;

FIG. 6 b is a similar view to that of FIG. 6 a showing the vehicleimpacting the barrier;

FIG. 6 c is a similar view to that of FIG. 6 b showing the shearing ofthe first set of rivets;

FIG. 6 d is a similar view to that of FIG. 6 c showing the shearing ofthe second set of rivets;

FIG. 6 e is a similar view to that of FIG. 6 d showing the shearing ofthe third set of rivets;

FIG. 7 is a plan view similar to that of the FIG. 6 e of a thirdembodiment made in accordance with the invention;

FIG. 8 is a similar view to that of FIG. 6 e of a fourth embodiment madein accordance with the invention;

FIG. 9 a is a similar view to that of FIG. 6 a of a fifth embodimentmade in accordance with the invention with the barrier closed;

FIG. 9 b is a plan view of the vehicle barrier system shown in FIG. 9 awith the barrier open;

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a sixth embodiment made in accordancewith the invention;

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a seventh embodiment made in accordancewith the invention;

FIG. 12 is a perspective view of an eighth embodiment made in accordancewith the invention showing the barrier lowered;

FIG. 13 is a perspective view of the embodiment shown in FIG. 12 withthe barrier raised;

FIG. 14 is an end view in the direction of arrows 14-14 shown in FIG.12;

FIG. 15 is a side view in the direction of arrows 15-15 shown in FIG.12;

FIG. 16 is an exploded partial cross-sectional perspective view of thevehicle barrier system shown in FIG. 13;

FIG. 17 a is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the vehicle barriersystem shown in FIG. 13 before vehicular impact;

FIG. 17 b is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the vehicle barriersystem shown in FIG. 13 during vehicular impact;

FIG. 18 a is a perspective view of a ninth embodiment made in accordancewith the invention showing the barrier lowered;

FIG. 18 b is a perspective rear view of the embodiment shown in FIG. 18a with the barrier raised;

FIG. 19 is a perspective front view of the embodiment shown in FIG. 18 bwith the barrier raised;

FIG. 20 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the vehicle barriersystem shown in FIG. 19 with the barrier being manually raised;

FIG. 21 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the vehicle barriersystem shown in FIG. 19 with the barrier being automatically raised;

FIG. 22 is a plan view of a tenth embodiment made in accordance with theinvention showing the barrier closed;

FIG. 23 is a perspective view of one end of the vehicle barrier systemsshown in FIG. 22; and

FIG. 24 is a cross-sectional view of the embodiment shown in FIG. 22during vehicular impact.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Throughout this specification the same reference numerals have been usedto identify similar integers in the various embodiments to reducerepetition of description. In FIGS. 1 to 5 there is shown a vehiclebarrier system 10 which will protect an opening (not shown) in aperimeter fence or building opening. The vehicle barrier system 10includes a pair of I-beams 12,14 mounted parallel with each other.Although I-beams have been described it is clear from embodiments to bediscussed later that the I-beams could be replaced by an anchor plate onthe ground. I-beams 12,14 are typically secured to the ground byconcrete supports 15. I-beams 12,14 have respective top flanges 16,18and lower flanges 20,22. A pair of hollow beams 24,26 are welded torespective support plates 28,30. Apertures 31 in support plates 28, 30allow support plates 28,30 to be bolted to concrete supports 15. Across- beam 32 bridges hollow beams 24,26. An electric motor 34 issecured to beam 26 and allows barrier 46 to be raised or lowered.

Counterweights 36 balance the weight of barrier 46 and are locatedwithin hollow beams 24,26.

Pulleys 38 guide a cable 40 on either side of barrier 46 with motor 34providing movement of cables 40. Barrier guides 42,44 are secured to thesides of hollow beams 24,26 and allow sliders 41 coupled to barrier 46to slide up and down.

A pair of barrier supports 48,50 are mounted parallel to hollow beams24,26. The top of barrier supports 48,50 are pivotally and slidablylinked to beam plates 51 on either side of hollow beams 24,26. Pins 51c, 51 d project through slots respectively to allow movement of barriersupports 48, 50. At the other end of barrier supports 48,50 there isattached a slide plate 52.

Slide plate 52 rests on the top flanges 16,18 of I-beams 12,14. Slots54,56 are provided in slide plate 52 and three pairs of rivets 58,60;62, 64; 66,68 are secured to the top flanges 16,18 of I-beams 12,14.Attachment beams 70,72, 74,76 are welded to the underside of slide plate52. The attachment beams 70 - 76 have attachment points 78 forattachment thereto of links 79. Links 79 allow pull rods or tension bars80,82 to be connected to ballast 84 by attachment points 86 on ballast84. Pull rods or tension bars 80, 82 have a Z- shaped configuration andcan be straightened when tensioned. Pull rods or tension bars 80,82 canhave a plurality of bends in them to suit requirements and are notlimited to the shape shown in this embodiment. Ballast 84 can be anyform of weight, for example, a block of concrete, or a plurality of logslocated in a framework as shown in FIGS. 1 to 5. Ballast 84 is locatedin a trough 88 with the base of the trough 90 being inclined.

In the preferred embodiment barrier 46 includes horizontal ram plates 92which at each end are slidingly located on barrier supports 48,50through guide holes 94. A plurality of vertical spacers 96 are weldedbetween—respective horizontal ram plates 92 to provide a stronganti-penetration gate.

The number and position of vertical spacers 96 can be varied to suitrequirements. It is preferred that the spacing between horizontal ramplates 92 is closer at a position where vehicle impact would occur.Vertical slats are welded to horizontal ram plates 92.

In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 6 a to 6 e the ballast 84 has beenreplaced by a second slide plate 100 which is supported by 12,14.

The second slide plate 100 is similarly affixed to top flange 18 viarivets 60 a, 64 a, 66 a through slot 56 a and corresponding rivets (notshown) and slot (not shown) on I-beam 12. FIGS. 6 a to 6 e provide asequential illustration of a vehicle 102 attempting to crash throughvehicle barrier system 10. The operation of the barrier system 10 isalso applicable to the embodiment shown in Figs. to 5.

In FIG. 6 a, vehicle 102 is moving with a velocity as indicated byarrows 106 and front wheels 104 will roll over second slide plate 100.Barrier 46 will be in the closed position as shown in FIG. 1. Vehicle102 will continue to move forward and front wheels 104 will roll overslide plate 52 as shown in phantom lines 108 in FIG. 5 to make contactwith barrier 46. FIG. 6 b shows vehicle 102 having contacted barrier 46with consequent damage to the vehicle and to vertical slats 98. Theslats 98 will crumple and absorb an amount of impact force. Thehorizontal ram plates 92 and vertical spacers 96 will also assist inreducing the velocity of vehicle 102.

Slide plate 52 will be held fast at this time by rivets 58-68, whichwill be assisted by the weight of vehicle 102 upon slide plate 52 toincrease the frictional forces needed to move slide plate 52.

FIG. 6 c shows that rivets 66,68 have been sheared at a predeterminedforce applied thereto. The force is applied to slide plate 52 throughthe impact load applied to barrier supports 48,50 passed from horizontalram plates 92. Slide plate 52 will thus move to the left as indicated bythe increasing width of gap 110 between slide plate 52, thestraightening of pull rods 80,82 and the bowing of barrier supports48,50 as shown by phantom lines 112 in FIG. 5. Slide plate 52 will slidealong I-beams 12,14 to move barrier supports 48,50 with it and pivot andmove about pins However, hollow beams 24,26 will not move as they arefastened to 24,26. The second slide plate 100 will provide resistance toassist in the straightening of pull rods 80,82.

Further dissipation of the vehicle impact will occur when rivets 62,64are sheared at a further predetermined force applied thereto as shown inFIG. 6 d. Gap 110 will widen further and pull rods 80,82 will be furtherstraightened. FIG. 6 e shows rivets 60 being sheared to further increasethe width of gap 110. Pull rods 80,82 have been fully straightened. Theweight and speed of vehicle 102 will determine whether all rivets 58-68will be sheared or whether the impact force is dissipated prior to thatoccurrence. If vehicle 102 is still not stationary, then the samesequence of shearing of rivets 60 a, 64 a, 68 a, etc will occur forsecond slide plate 100. This sequence will not be described, as it willbe obvious to the man skilled in the art based on the previousoperational discussion.

In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 to 5 the second slide plate 100 isreplaced by ballast 84. The operational sequences will be very similarwith the resistance of the ballast 84 engaging when rivets 66,68 aresheared. In tests the vehicle barrier system 10 has been effective toprevent a 4000-kg (8800lb.) load from entering barrier 46 at 30 Thedamaged barrier 46 can be readily replaced as hollow beams 24,26 are notdamaged and the barrier lifting mechanism is on the hollow beams 24,26.It is a relatively simple procedure to replace barrier 46 as barriersupports 48,50 can be re-used. The downtime for an attempted intrusionis substantially reduced without compromising safety.

FIG. 7 shows a very similar embodiment to that shown in FIGS. 6 a to 6 ewith the addition of a third slide plate 114. Again third slide plate114 is coupled to second slide plate 100 by pull rods 80 a and isfastened to I-beams 12,14 by rivets 60 b, 64 b, 68 b.

FIG. 8 shows a very similar embodiment to that shown in FIG. 7 with theaddition of ballast 84 from the embodiment of FIGS. 1 to 5. Ballast 84is coupled to third slide plate by pull rods 80 b.

FIGS. 9 a and 9 b illustrate a further embodiment where barrier 46 isreplaced by a pivotal ramp 116 which is attached to slide plate 52through pivot plates 118.

Ramp 116 can pivot between a closed or vertical position as shown inFIG. 9 a and a horizontal or open position as shown by phantom lines120. The ramp 116 is held in either position by a latching mechanism (s)(not shown) and is biased towards the closed position by springs 122.There are slide plates 52,100, which are constructed and operate in asimilar way to those shown in FIGS. 6 a to 6 e.

Vehicle 102 can drive over ramp 116 when in the open position asindicated in FIG. 9 a but cannot pass when ramp 116 is raised. Ramp 116can be of any suitable construction to withstand the initial impact byvehicle 102. This embodiment does not have the hollow beams 24,26. Theimpact force will be applied to slide plate 52 through the impact loadapplied to pivot plates 118 rather than barrier supports 48,50 passedfrom ramp 116. The movement of slide plates 52,100 will be the same asthat described in FIGS. 6 a to 6 e.

The embodiment shown in FIG. 10 shows barrier 46 being replaced by apair of swinging gates 124,126. Slide plate 52 will again operate in asimilar manner to that previously described in relation to FIGS. 9 a and9 b.

The embodiment shown in FIG. 11 is similar to the embodiment shown inFIG. 10 with swinging gates 124,126 replaced by a sliding gate 128.Slide plate 52 will again operate in a similar manner to that previouslydescribed in relation to FIGS. 9 a and 9 b.

The embodiment shown in FIGS. 12 to 17 b is similar to the embodimentshown in FIGS. 9 a and 9 b. In this embodiment the I-beams are replacedby an anchor plate 130 which is affixed to the ground. A plurality ofholes 132 are formed in the ground and are preferably strengthened usingconcrete. Locking cylinders 134 are pushed through respective apertures136 in slide plate 52 and locked in place by pins 138. The lockingcylinders 134 are tamperproof as they are located underneath covers 140and the end of ramp 116. A pair of tension bars 82 are secured atrespective ends to slide plate 52 and anchor plate 130.

Ramp 116 is pivotally mounted to slide plate 52 through bracing elements142.

Bracing elements 142 are notched to grip the vehicle at impact andprovide deformation of the vehicle to reduce the speed of the vehicle. Aback plate 144 is also pivotally mounted to slide plate 52 and providesadditional support to ramp 116 under impact. Again bracing elements 146are provided to strengthen the back plate 144. Bracing elements 146protrude slots 148 in ramp 116 and are coupled to pin 150 which isguided within track 152 on bracing elements 142. When non-operational,the vehicle barrier system in FIGS. 12 to 17 b is folded into theposition shown in FIG. 12. A vehicle may be easily driven over thevehicle barrier system and it will act basically as a speed hump. Theoperational position is shown in FIGS. 13 and 17 a with ramp 116 in theraised position. Any unauthorised vehicle will travel in the directionof the arrow shown in FIG. 17 a and ride over covers 140 and hit ramramp 116. The impacting of the vehicle is shown in FIG. 17 b and issimilar in operation to that of FIGS. 9 a and 9 b with slide plate 52moving along anchor plate 130 and severing in turn the rivets 60,64, 66and straightening of tension bars 80,82. The embodiment shown in FIGS.18 a to 21 is very similar to the embodiment shown in FIGS. 12 to 17 b.In this embodiment a handle 154 is locatable in a tube 156 and has oneend located in boss 158 on slide plate 52. The handle 154 will allow amanual movement of ramp 116 into its raised position as shown in FIG.20. By locating the handle in tube 156, additional strength will beprovided to the ramp 116 on impact. Gas struts 160 will also assist inthe raising of ramp 116. An example of a remote activated raising oframp 116 is also shown in this embodiment. A pair of springs 162 areheld in a tensioned condition as shown in FIGS. 19 and 20. The springs162 are held by pin 164 coupled to an explosive device 166. Whenexplosive device is detonated electronically by switch 168, pin 164 willbe released and the tensioned force contained within springs 162 willimmediately raise ramp 116 as shown in FIG. 21. The explosive device 166can be substituted by any other suitable activation means, for example,solenoid, etc. The impact operation of this embodiment will be the sameas the embodiment of FIGS. 12 to 17 b.

The embodiment shown in FIGS. 22 to 24 differs from the previousembodiments by the different positions of the slide plate and tensionbars. This embodiment shows a boom gate 170 which is pivotally mountedto support 172.

Boom gate 170 can be raised manually by handle 174 or electricallythrough a gear 176 coupled to a gear driven motor means (not shown). Alatch 178 is attached at the other end of boom gate 170 and can belocked in position by solenoid 180. A further support 182 is providedand both supports 172,182 are attached to ground anchor plates 184,186which are secured to the ground.

Tension bar 80 is secured to ground anchor plate 184 by brackets 188 andpin 190 whilst tension bar 82 is similarly secured by brackets 192 andpin 194. The other ends of tension bars 80,82 are again secured tosupports 172,182 by brackets 196,200 and pins 198, 202. The method ofattachment can be varied to suit requirements, for example, directwelding or other means. A pair of fixed plates 204 are also welded toanchor plates 184,186 at an angle thereto. Slide plates 206 are attachedto both supports 172,182. Respective slots 208 in fixed plates 204 allowslide plates 206 to be held thereagainst by rivets

FIG. 24 shows the operation of the vehicle barrier system of FIGS. 22 to24.

When the vehicle 102 impacts with boom gate 170 the supports 172, 182will be bent backwards which will cause extension of tension bars 80,82.Further bending of supports 172,182 will cause the sequential shearingof rivets 210 in a similar manner to the previously describedembodiments.

From the above description of the various embodiments it is evident tothe man skilled in the art may make changes to the construction of thevehicle barrier system 10. Depending on construction constraints slideplate 52 need not be coupled to a further slide plate or ballast. Theconstruction of barrier 46 can be of any suitable type that canwithstand a heavy impact. The number and types of slide plates can vary.Similarly, the numbers of rivets can be varied from 1 to any numberdeemed applicable. The shearing strength of the rivets can be varied orbe the same. The preferred embodiments have been described withreference to their use as a gate but the construction is also applicableto doors of buildings.

The invention will be understood to embrace many further modificationsas will be readily apparent to persons skilled in the art and which willbe deemed to reside within the broad scope and ambit of the invention,there having been set forth herein only the broad nature of theinvention and certain specific embodiments by way of example.

1. A vehicle barrier system including a barrier movable between an openposition to allow vehicle access therethrough and a closed positionwhich prevents vehicle access therethrough, said barrier being attachedto barrier supports at either end of said barrier, said barrier supportsbeing secured to a slide plate which will slide after a predeterminedforce is applied thereto by vehicle impact with said barrier to absorbthe impact energy of said vehicle; wherein movement of the slide plateis controllable by the shearing of at least two rivets securing saidslide plate to at least one fixed surface on which it slides, saidrivets protruding from said fixed surface through a pair of slots onopposing sides of said slide plate; wherein said at least one fixedsurface is formed by a pair of ground engaging beams aligned withrespective slots in said slide plate; and wherein a pair of uprightbeams is secured to the ground in front of respective barrier supports,said upright beams being secured to said pair of ground engaging beamsat one end and pivotally and/or slidably linked to said barrier supportsat the other end.
 2. The vehicle barrier system as claimed in claim 1wherein said slide plate is sufficiently long to have a part of saidvehicle sitting thereon at impact.
 3. The vehicle barrier system ofclaim 1, wherein said barrier allows structural deformation to occur toabsorb impact forces.
 4. The vehicle barrier system of claim 1, whereinsaid barrier can be raised into said open position and lowered into saidclosed position.
 5. The vehicle barrier system of claim 1, wherein saidbarrier can be pivotally lowered into said open position and pivotallyraised into said closed position.
 6. The vehicle barrier system of claim1, wherein said barrier can be slid open into said open position andslide closed into said closed position.
 7. The vehicle barrier system ofclaim 1, wherein said barrier includes a first and second barrierpivotally attached at their opposing ends, said barriers can bepivotally swung from their opposing ends into said open position andpivotally swung closed into said closed position.
 8. A vehicle barriersystem including a barrier movable between an open position to allowvehicle access therethrough and a closed position which prevents vehicleaccess therethrough, said barrier being attached to barrier supports ateither end of said barrier, said barrier supports being secured to aslide plate which will slide after a predetermined force is appliedthereto by vehicle impact with said barrier to absorb the impact energyof said vehicle; wherein movement of the slide plate is controllable bythe shearing of at least one rivet securing said slide plate to at leastone fixed surface on which it slides, said at least one rivet protrudingthrough at least one slot in said slide plate from said fixed surface;wherein said at least one fixed surface is an anchor plate which issecured to the around by affixing means; wherein said barrier forms partof a ramp in its open position and is pivotally attached at either sideto said slide plate to be raised from said slide plate to a substantialvertical position to its closed position; and wherein a further supportis coupled at the rear of said barrier to further assist in preventingcollapse of said barrier from vehicular impact when said barrier is inits substantial vertical position.
 9. The vehicle barrier system ofclaim 8, wherein a pair of tension bars is connected between said anchorplate and said slide plate whereby, in use, said pair of tension barswill lengthen when said barrier is struck by said vehicle.
 10. A vehiclebarrier system including a barrier movable between an open position toallow vehicle access therethrough and a closed position which preventsvehicle access therethrough, said barrier being attached to barriersupports at either end of said barrier, said barrier supports beingsecured to the ground on at least one ground engaging plate, a pair ofbridging slide plates on one side of each of said barrier supportsattached at one end to a respective said barrier support and at theother end to said at least one ground engaging plate, said slide platesjoined by at least one rivet, said slide plates movable with respect toone another when said at least one rivet is sheared after apredetermined force is applied from vehicular impact with said barrierto absorb the impact energy of said vehicle.
 11. The vehicle barriersystem as claimed in claim 10, further including a tension member on theother side of said barrier support linking its respective groundengaging plate to said barrier support.
 12. The vehicle barrier systemas claimed in claim 10, wherein movement of the slide plates iscontrollable by the shearing of a plurality of rivets, said plurality ofrivets protruding through at least one slot in one of said slide plates.